New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-10-19
FEARFUL WORK OF A MADM1N
SUICIDE AND ATTEMPTED MURDER.

HIS ADVENTUROUS CAREER AS HOTEL KEEPER
DIAMOND MINER, AND sUITOH.
There was no room for doubt yesterday that the mys
terous shooting at No. 526 East Eleventhst on MONDAY
night the work OF a madman The erratlc man WHO
killed himself after attempting to murder Herman
MAYER was John LOhrentz. German, age hfty-tnree,
who had travelled extensively. In this city his name
was understood to be Lawrence For several years he
had occupied the small cigar store the first oor OF
the house in East Ecvenths He slept in the
OF the and Mayer, his assistant slept IN the
Lohrentz did not talk mucd about his past
life but he said enough times to indicate that bis
career had been eventfu. Lately he showed by his
conduct that he insane, but Mayer who was sold
young German, paid little att entOn to the change.
According to the story told by Mayer yesterday,
Lohrenz went ont on Monday evening and did not re-
turn until late hour He told Mayer TO 90 to bed and
the yonng German Obcycd. About midnight Mayer
awoke 10 find blood pouring over hs face from wound
IN his head He upstairs and called Mrs. Stewart
who lives the second foor Her screams summoned
a policeman. When light was procured the body of
LOhrenz found the floor OF the room back OF the
store He had shot himself through the head with
revolver OF large calibre after shooting Mayer Win
bullet in his head the young German walked 10 the r
Street Police Station. Tho bullet was extracted az
Bellevue Hospital yesterday, and there was hope that
Mayer would recover he conscious and able to
coherently Tho body of orentz was placed on ice
in Fourth st. undertakers shop.
Coroner Eidnan made an investigation and found
letter addressed 10 himself evidently written by
Lohrentz several days ago The letter was such as an
insane man hight write. IL long rambling episte
in the German language. parity narrative broken aV
intervals by declarations that devils were pursuing inc
writer or dancing the of his wife. There was
no explanation OF the attempt 20 kill Mayer From inc
letter and the statements OF Mayer Coroner Ednan was
ablo 10 make ont history OF the madman. LohIehtz
came this country before he OF and settled In
New.Oreans He married In that city anu ntraine
the proprietor Of the Fire Proof Coffee House ana Hotel
the quays. Hs wife and three children uie1 rom
yellow fever and he determined to leave Ne",Oreahs
He long lease OF his coffee house ana notei 10
another and went to the dlamond nelds III AFRICA
Having good luck at Cape Town he went TO England
and sold diamonds worth 925, 300. At Cape Town nc
III Mrs Maria nchicfer, handsome young "luO"'
whose husband had died after being eIiied FROM
Germany on account oi his socalisc theories lie gave
her about $1,000 and made will III her favor upon he
promise marry him. she aftcrward refused 10 Iuin
her part the contract ami he follow al her amour III
several corners Of the world to no purpose Inc leer
stated that IOhrentz had 43- 300 10 his credit III the
Bank OF England and that he wished the money 10 20 10
his daughter. whose address Was known % a man %
London Ten English s0vcregns were found In trunk
that also contained old clothing Ohly Shall amount
OF cash found in the cigar store.